Theftproof lamp globe



Dec. 11, 1928.

w. o. BODE ET AL THEFTPROOF LAMP GLOBE Origi hal Filed June 24, 1924 WILLIAM 0.50m;

LAWRENCE J, HAMING INVENTORS ATTY acme 11, 192 8.

UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'WILLIAH 0. 301m am) LAWRENCE J.

trauma, or LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

TEEITPROOF GLQBE.

Application filed we 24, 1924, Serial No. 722,118. Renewed June 9,1928.

This invention relates to improvements in theft proof lamp globes, especially those adapted for-the ordinary electric light sockets or'th e like, and has for one of its principal objects the provision of a lamp globe which when placed, in the 'socket will be impossible to remove without destroying the operating efliciency of the globe itself.

Oneof the important objects of this invention is the provision of a theftproof lamp globe which shall be so constructed that unauthorized removal is rendered practic'ally impossible without leaving the bulb' unfit for subsequent use, but whichat the.

same time will not damage the bulb to an irreparable degree.

v A further important tion is the provision of a theft proof lamp globe for electric light sockets, signs, or the like, which will be so constructed that any unauthorized removal of the same will act to automatically destroy/the vacuum 'existing inside the bulb, but which will destroy the samein such a manner that the vacuum may be restored by means of suitable equipment.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

' In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical elevation of the improved theft proof. lamp globe of this invention shown as aflixed in a socket, parts being broken away.

Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken on the ine 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated" by the arrows.

Figure 3 1s a detail view illustrating the locking means as applied to the ordinary lamp socket now in use.

As shown in the drawings: The reference numeral 10 indicates generally the outer casing of an ordinary lamp globe socket or the like havin an operating ey or switch 12.. It will be obvious that the invention may be applied to any electric light globesocket, whether fixed or portable.

Mounted in the usual mannerin the'casing 10 is the ordinary socket supporting insulating element 14 havin the usual metal screw threaded socket 16 object of this inven- Y interior of said lighting position without extensive re airs. 'ed thereto and ,with' the usual electrical connections applied to 'of one of the screw threads, and adapted to no .co-operate with this notch is a locking element in the form of a leaf spring 20 suitably afiixed to the. screw threaded socket 16by means of rivets 22. or the like and having its forward free end projecting inwardly into the opening 18 as best illustrated in th sectional view in Figure 2.

The theft proof-lamp globe of this inventi'on is best illustrated in Figure 1 and comprises the ordinary globe as illustrated at 7 -24-having the usual base 26 composed of a metallic screw threaded contact member adapted to co-operate with the interior face of the screw threaded socket 16. A circular opening is provided in the side of the screw a threaded base member 26 and through this opening projects a nipple or the like" 28 which forms an integral part of the material of the glass globe 24 and which, if broken off or opened, will act to admit air to the-so globe. If thelamp is removed while burning the filament will be completely burned up and it will not be feasible to repair the globe. v

The operation is as follows: g5 Upon the globe 24 with the screw threaded base 26 being inserted into the socket 16, rotation of the same to screw the globe into will cause the nipple 28 to ride in the space between the walls of the lamp base and the socket and eventually under the inwardly projecting end of the locking leaf spring member 20. lVhen the globe shall have been adjusted into lighting position the nipple 28 will have assumed a position immediately beyond the inwardly projectinglend of the locking member 20, as best i1 ustrated in the sectional view m Figure 2. a I

Upon any attempt to unscrew the globe or. remove the same from its socket the -action of the extending glass ni ple 28 against the end of thelocking mem r 20 will act to. prevent such retrograde movement and, if 1 sufficient force is ap lied, the glass nipple 28 will be broken .0 thereby allowin aninflux of air into the interior of the g obe 24 with the result that the vacuum is destroyed and the lamp-is unfit for further use 5 I In the lamp locking devices heretofore on the market the globe has been practlcally destroyed by its unauthorized removal from the socket and repairs are rendered very difiicult, if not impossible. By the improved device of this invention the globe is only the ordinary light globe thief is concerned.

WVe are aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and we therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

We claim as our invention:

1. A theft proof lamp globe, including in combination an exhausted glass globe, a metallic base thereon, and means'in the base forv allowing of the projection of a portion of the globe therethrough, said projection being adapted to act to destroy the vacuum in the globe upon tampering therewith.

2. A theft proof lamp globe and socket, including in combination an exhausted globe, a metallic contact base on the globe, a

portion of the globe extending through an opening in the metallic contact base, a receiving socket for the globe, and means on the socket adapted to lock against and break off said projecting portion upon removal of the globe from said socket.

3. A theft proof lamp globe and socket, including in combination an exhausted globe, a metallic contact base on the globe, a portion of the globe extending through an opening in the metallic contact base, a receiving socket for the globe,and means on the socket adapted to break off said projecting portion upon removal of the globe from said socket, said means comprising a one-way latching member in the form of a leaf spring attached to the outer face of said lamp socket, one end of said leaf spring projecting inwardly through a slotted opening in the socket and adaptedto co -operate in looking relation with the projection on the lamp globe base.

In testimony whereof we aflixour signatures.

WILLIAM O. BODE. LAWRENCE J. HAMING. 

